Pro Chefs Swear by These $7 Non-Toxic Food Prep Pods to Make Summer Cooking with Guests in the House Fast and Easy
It's a fast fix for flustered hosting
When cooking for a crowd, how you prep ahead can make all the difference. We all want to be effortlessly elegant hosts, avoiding visible last-minute panic that can make guests feel like an inconvenience.
That’s why professional chefs rely on 'mise en place' – preparing and measuring ingredients in advance so everything is ready to go before your best non-toxic cookware even hits the heat.
From table to refrigerator, these containers safely store and serve both hot and cold ingredients. They're crafted of durable stainless steel with flexible silicone lids that help keep the contents fresh.
While using several dishes will marginally increase the amount you have to clean after a dinner party, the peace of mind it brings while hosting is indispensable. Prep pods are essential to making meal prepping quicker and easier.
JD Alewine, professional chef and co-owner of Them Bites, explains, 'You're able to get a huge bulk of your work out of the way before you have to start entertaining. If you have all your meat broken down and processed, your veggies chopped, and your herbs measured, you can step up and cook while chatting with guests.
'If you're having to prep in real-time while cooking, there are too many things going on at once that you're either going to be a bad host, or you're going to cook a bad meal,' two summer hosting mistakes you'll want to avoid.
How you use your prep pods when getting a kitchen ready for hosting is important, however. Putting everything in tiny containers will not always streamline your process, JD warns.
'They’re especially useful for recipes with quick cooking windows, such as stir-fries, sauces, pasta dishes, tacos, salads, and anything grilled,' he explains. 'Once the pan is hot or the food is on the grill, you don’t want to stop and chop an onion.'
You should avoid separating ingredients that go into the pan together to save time and space, or mixing ingredients that need to be cooked with those used for finishing (for instance, keep raw meat away from finishing herbs). Otherwise, keep your countertops clear to avoid overwhelm.
What Else to Shop
Whether you are looking to minimize stress when hosting or master your meal prep at the start of each week, having the right tools in your kitchen can make all the difference. I have rounded up six of my top picks for simplifying prep and keeping your kitchen running smoothly.
All prices correct at time of publication.
These zip-top reusable food bags are made from 100% pure non-toxic silicone, and are free from BPA, lead, PVC, latex, and phthalates for easy non-toxic storage.
These stain-resistant, versatile set from Pyrex freezes, stores, and reheats leftovers and food prep for easier mid-week cooking and hosting.
Crafted from durable, rust-resistant stainless steel, these bowls are built to handle electric hand mixers and daily prep. Fitted Glass Lids seal in freshness when resting dough or storing ingredients, with no plastic wrap required.
With 0.1g of precision, a digital kitchen scale is a must-have for food prep and baking, ensuring the perfect mix for optimal results.
Always label your food prep and leftovers so you do not forget anything. These freezer-safe labels are designed to stand up to moisture to prevent them from peeling off in storage.
A versatile stand mixer, such as KitchenAid, with a multitude of attachments, can make food prep simpler, removing much of the manual effort required, saving you time and energy.
Meet the Expert
JD has more than a decade of kitchen experience, from sushi chef to line cook. He now co-runs Them Bites with his wife. Together, they have more than 35 years of experience working in the food industry.
To keep the rest of your pre-hosting preparations stress-free, consider the GFD basket method.
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